The Curse of Oenone (Daughter of Olympus II) - [Leo Valdez xF!Oc]

Don't Worry, It's All Downhill From Here

"So good to see you again, ma chère. It's time we had a very cold reunion." 

Ara hasn't thought about these three idiots since last December, but it's clear they haven't forgotten about them. Younger Ara would consider it flattering, but now she's annoyed and on the verge of another crisis if they don't bring Leo back.

"Muffins," Cal points to Piper's cornucopia after it spits food abruptly, Ara only remembers his name because he couldn't say more than a few words at a time. "Muffins are good."

"Ah, merci," Zethes winks at the girls, making Ara want to be killed faster. "I knew the pretty girl would miss me." 

"This is great, exactly what I needed," Ara grumbles, trying to release her feet.

"You've grown, Jackson," Zethes continues in French. "I'm willing to ignore my orders if you promise me a good time."

"How about you come closer and I show you where my sword fits?" She replies in a bad mood.

Piper tries to use charmspeak. "Let my friends go."

Zethes stiffens in place. "We should let your friends go."

"Yes," Cal drops his muffin.

"No, you idiots! She is charmspeaking. Use your wits."

"Wits..." Cal picks up his food and eats it. "Muffins are better."

"Ah, my beautiful Piper..." Zethes sighs. "So long I have waited to see you again. Sadly, my sister is right. We cannot let your friends go. In fact we must take them to Quebec, where they shall be laughed at eternally. I am so sorry, but these are our orders."

"Orders...? Guys, listen, your sister disobeyed Boreas. She's working with the giants, trying to raise Gaea. She's planning to take over your father's throne."

"Dear Piper McLean," the goddess chuckles. "You would manipulate my weak-willed brothers with your charms, like a true daughter of the love goddess. Such a skillful liar."

"Liar? You tried to kill us! Zethes, she's working for Gaea!" 

Zethes squints. "Alas, beautiful girl. We all are working for Gaea now. I fear these orders are from our father, Boreas himself."

"What?" 

Ara closes her eyes and tunes them out, then summons Hephaestus's blessing and hopes it works like she wants it to. Her body heats up, and she tries to guide all the warmth to her feet, which is not easy.

"What about Leo?" Piper questions, and the name makes Ara lose a bit of focus. "Where did you send him?"

"Leo Valdez deserved a special punishment," Khione shrugs. "I have sent him to a place from which he can never return. But it is for the best. Leo could not be tolerated, even as an ice statue... not after he insulted me. The fool refused to rule at my side! And his power over fire... He could not be allowed to reach the House of Hades. I'm afraid Lord Clytius likes fire even less than I do."

"You know, the first time I met you I thought you were annoying, but the more you talk, the more I think gods should have some kind of Asylum for headcases like you," Ara twirls one finger next to her head. "Blood's too frozen to circulate your noggin, huh?"

Khione's cold eyes sharpen. "What nonsense are you speaking?"

"You see, dear royal pain in the podex," Ara moves her foot inside its enclosure as the ice melts and hollows around it. "If you'd done your homework properly, you'd know that the daughter of Olympus is in love with Leo Valdez, and if what you're saying it's true, then I've got no choice but to kill you."